(Columbus, OH): Patients, parents, veterans, advocates and members of the Ohio Rights Group gathered this afternoon at the Ohio Statehouse to present over 2,000 signatures in support of the Ohio Cannabis Rights Amendment to Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. This submission is part of the process to place this proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution on the statewide ballot. By statute, Attorney General DeWine is charged with determining whether the measure’s summary is a fair and truthful statement of its full text, and must render his decision within ten days. Once certified, he forwards the measure to the Ohio Ballot Board, which will, within another 10 days, certify that the Amendment relates to only one issue. That determination will permit the ORG to commence a statewide campaign to collect the 385,000+ signatures of registered Ohio voters necessary for ballot placement.

“As a mother, I’m fighting for all Ohioans,” said Linda Pardee, a member of the Amendment’s Committee to Represent the Petitioners, whose son was severely injured in an automobile accident. “I want Ohio’s ill and injured to have the safest and healthiest treatments, and I’ve learned that when it comes to safety nothing else comes close to cannabis.”

The ballot language of the Ohio Cannabis Rights Amendment first cites the inalienable rights that commence the long standing Bill of Rights in the Ohio Constitution to which all Ohioans are entitled. These rights include life, liberty, property and safety. The measure then sets forth seven rights to be accorded Ohio residents who will be eligible to use cannabis therapeutically as a result of a diagnosed debilitating medical condition. The amendment would also establish the right of eligible Ohio residents to produce and sell non-psychoactive Cannabis – hemp – for such industrial uses as paper, fuel, foods, building materials, clothing and more. In addition, the Amendment establishes an Ohio Commission of Cannabis Control to not only support, uphold and defend these rights, but to also regulate therapeutic cannabis in Ohio.

The Ohio Cannabis Rights Amendment is sponsored by the Ohio Rights Group, a non-partisan, nonprofit organization that advocates for the rights of Ohioans to make medical, therapeutic and industrial use of the Cannabis plant and supports the growing number of individuals, organizations and industries facilitating those uses.

About Johnny Green

Johnny Green is a marijuana activist from Oregon. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy. Follow Johnny Green on Facebook and Twitter. Also, feel free to email any concerns.

Scottidawg

Letter from legislator:

I have always been opposed to the legalization of marijuana, and remain that way now. For those who claim that medicinal marijuana helps to ease their pain and better certain symptoms they suffer from, there already exists on the legal market synthetic forms of marijuana. Legalizing cannabis in Ohio will only open the door to a world of problems that all stem from drug use: crime, introduction to other (more dangerous) drugs, and increased dependence to other drugs just to name a few. I realize that this legislation would leave it up to the citizens of Ohio to decide whether or not to legalize the drug. While I believe in the democratic system, I was elected and sent to Columbus to vote for the great people of the 97th House District on matters like this, no matter the polarizing effects they have on society. Should we, the General Assembly, vote the way the people don’t like, they can always put it up for a referendum vote and overturn our decision.

I will continue to research the issue and learn everything that I can to cast an informed vote. However, with the drug problem that already exists in and around Muskingum and Guernsey counties, I don’t see at this time how legalizing marijuana use would help in any way.

I am proud to represent you in Columbus, and my goal is to achieve those things that are best for our district, and for our state. Thank you again for taking time out of your day to write me regarding this issue.

Have a nice day,

Brian D. Hill State Representative 97th House District

Scottidawwg

This is our “leader” responding to support us in legalizing mmj in ohio….take note voters!

sharpss

Scottidawg, you call yourself a legislator? I would say that you are more of a “wanna be” dictator. You are a poster child for what is wrong in our government. You have no interest in representing the people. You are on a power trip with the power you have been given by the people and you want to control, not represent your constituents. You and all like you should be voted out and that is the nicest thing I can say about vermin.

dgand

You say you will study, then you have a lot to read. If you do read then you will know, then you will also agree. I promise.

I just hope you don’t you don’t end up like me…. with a broken heart. The more I read, the more I learn, the more my heart breaks open. The things I now and the things I’m begenning to understand just breaks my heart even more. I just wish everyone could see all of this stuff. But if they did, I guess, it would probably just break their hearts too.

We need to help our people instead of punishing them. We need to help everyone. Somehow. Not punish. Please.

jimmy the weed

this is an awesome message, thank you!

sharpss

I get a kick out of how so many people in so many states say they have all the answers to controlling cannabis in THEIR their way, saying that this is how all America should accept THEIR rules. What bullshit.THE TRUTH IS THAT NOTHING SHORT OF LEGALIZATION AND LEGAL CULTIVATION WILL WORK, PERIOD!!!!!!!!